Jamaica

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Few things on this earth taste better than Jamaican coffee. Few things go down smoother than Jamaican rum.

Development of fermented drinks produced from sugarcane juice is believed to date back to ancient India or China. Malaysians have a drink named "brum," which dates back thousands of years. Marco Polo recorded a 14th-century account of a "very good wine of sugar" that was offered to him in what is modern-day Iran. During the 17th century, Caribbean sugarcane plantations began distilling rum when plantation slaves discovered that molasses, a by-product of the sugar refining process, fermented into alcohol. Now, fine Jamaican Rum comes in a range of prices and you will be able to name your price!

Appleton Estate 250th Anniversary Edition Jamaican Rum will set you back $1,299.99, whereas Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum 750 ml runs $27.99. Or simply drizzle rum cream flavor extract over ice cream or in add to coffee.

Chris Blackwell, the inspiration behind Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum, hails from one of Jamaica's oldest merchant families. Although Blackwell was born in London, he spent his childhood in Jamaica and after attending school back in England, returned to the country. In 1959, Chris Blackwell created Island Records, bringing Reggae music to the attention of international audiences - one of his most noted achievements was gaining recognition for Bob Marley and The Wailers. Created from a traditional family recipe, Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum is a rich, fragrant spirit that has been barrel-aged for one year and infused with tropical flavors. A bold molasses note on both the nose and palate is complemented by hints of coffee, clove and spice which lead to toasted coconut on the finish.

To work the plantations during the 17th and 18th centuries, trade was established between Africa, the Caribbean and America's Colonies to support the capitalist need for cheap labor. Thousands of Irish fled from British rule and as indentured servants joined the black Africans in the islands. In addition to taking on the names of their English "owners," Africans bonded with the Irish and bore children; in addition to many surnames of English derivation, Jamaica's families now have many Irish names.

Following development in the Caribbean, rum's popularity spread to Colonial America where the first rum distillery in the colonies was set up in 1664 on current day Staten Island followed by a distillery three years later in Boston, Massachusetts. The manufacture of rum became early Colonial New England's largest and most prosperous industry.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

For more than two centuries, Jamaica has been home to the most exhilarating, aromatic, sought-after coffee in the world. It is difficult to find and quite expensive, so we treat ourselves a few times a year to this high-mountain bean. Blue Mountain Coffee is famous for its exquisite flavor, good acidity, clean refined taste, unusual sweetness, excellent body and intense bold aroma. It is also known for its mildness and lack of bitterness. Over time, it has become the most expensive coffee in the world, and the most sought after. Besides making incredible brewed coffee, the Blue Mountain coffee bean is used as a base for the famous Tia Maria coffee liqueur.

Blue Mountain coffee grows at an altitude between 3500 and 6000 feet on the majestic Blue Mountains of Jamaica. It is one of the highest grown coffees in the world. The constant mist and coolness gives the mountains a bluish cast which is where the name of the mountains is derived.

The Blue Mountains reach 7402 ft above sea level; it is said that one may see Cuba on a clear day. This lush environment produces a unique coffee taste of boldness, smoothness and richness.

Magnum 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee,
Whole Bean or Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee (also called Jamaica Blue Mountain Wallenford Estate Coffee). It is also one of the more expensive coffees in the world. To preserve these gifts of nature Wallenford Estate Coffee is vacuum packed immediately after roasting to seal in aroma, maintain freshness and extend the life of the coffee.

Many commercial coffee blends add a bit of Blue Mountain coffee to enrich the quality of their blend. Due to the strength of the Blue Mountain coffee beans, more cups of coffee can be made for the money.

The author of the James Bond series, Ian Fleming, lived in Jamaica for a part of every year. In his book, “Live and Let Die,” James Bond is sitting at breakfast declaring, “Blue Mountain coffee, the most delicious in the world . . . "

Japan, the largest importer of Blue Mountain coffee, imports approximately 80% of the crop every year. The rest of the world wrangles over the remainder.

Heart of a Pirate: A Novel of Anne Bonny

This is a wonderful novel based on a true story . . . my daughter found it for me prior to a recent return trip to the Caribbean. Before going anywhere it is family "policy" to read at least a well-written historical novel about the area . . . along with our guidebooks.

This novel is based on the legendary figure of Anne Bonny and Heart of a Pirate is historical fiction at its best with excellent attention to detail, romance, adventure, and questions of social justice. Jamaica, October, 1720. The pirate ship of Calico Jack Rackham is captured off the western coast of Jamaica. (Calico Jack was a real English pirate captain operating throughout the Bahamas during the early 18th Century.) While most of the crew is too drunk to defend against the onslaught of the King's navy, two of the crewmembers stand to fight against overwhelming odds. When finally forced to surrender, the commander of the governor's ship is amazed to discover that the two who defend are women disguised as men . . . Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Tracing Anne's upbringing among the society people of Charles Town and the circumstances that bring her to piracy, the story follows Anne as she makes her way among taverns, notorious pirate captains, and life aboard ship disguised as a man. As she matures from the girl who leaves Charles Town, Anne faces the moral questions of emerging slavery in the South and the Caribbean, and the poverty, prejudice, and war that define the men who are pirates, all the while fighting to take control of her destiny among those who will "knock a woman down for her sex," the drama set against governments determined to rid the oceans of the sea robbers who threaten to cripple the world's emerging new capitalism. It is a quick and wonderful read whether or not you are heading for Caribbean waters.